PHOTO ESSAY

DR. ISAIAH “IKE” MCKINNON

DR. ISAIAH MCKINNON BEGAN HIS FIVEDECADE CAREER IN PUBLIC SERVICE AS AN OFFICER WITH THE DETROIT POLICE DEPARTMENT IN 1965. HE HELD MORE THAN 10 DIFFERENT POSITIONS IN THE DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING PATROL OPERATIONS AND VARIOUS SUPERVISORY, ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMAND AND EXECUTIVE ROLES, BEFORE RETIRING AS AN INSPECTOR TO START HIS OWN SECURITY FIRM.

IN 1993, DR. MCKINNON RETURNED TO THE DETROIT POLICE DEPARTMENT TO SERVE AS CHIEF. UNDER HIS FIVE YEARS OF LEADERSHIP, HUNDREDS OF POLICE OFFICERS WERE DIRECTED TO GO INTO CITY NEIGHBORHOODS AND INTRODUCE THEMSELVES TO RESIDENTS IN AN EFFORT TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION TO SHIFTING THE FOCUS OF THE DEPARTMENT TO COMMUNITYDRIVEN POLICING, HE ADVOCATED FOR AND IMPLEMENTED TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR OFFICERS RESPONDING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. IN 1998, HE LEFT POLICING AND BECAME A PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT MERCY.

IN 2014, MCKINNON WAS APPOINTED DEPUTY MAYOR OF DETROIT AND SERVED FOR TWO YEARS BEFORE RETURNING TO TEACH AS A PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT MERCY. HE HOLDS A B.A. AND A M.A. FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT MERCY COLLEGE, AND A PH.D. FROM MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY. HE IS ALSO A GRADUATE OF THE FBI NATIONAL ACADEMY AND THE U.S. SECRET SERVICE SCHOOL. WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ? Caste, The Origins of our Discontents, by Isabel Wilkerson.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PET PEEVE? People who use their positions to spread incorrect information.

WHO DO YOU ADMIRE? Individuals who help others.

IF YOU HAD UNLIMITED RESOURCES, WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Supply food and water for the entire world.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST QUALITY? The ability to listen.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST RISK YOU’VE TAKEN? As a young Detroit police officer, running into a burning building and saving a mother and her young daughter. Years later, the young lady asked me to walk her down the aisle at her wedding.

WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY? At age 5, my mother holding my youngest sibling and saying, “This is Gloria, your baby sister.”

WHAT VIRTUE DO YOU MOST ADMIRE IN OTHERS? Honesty.

WHAT WORDS DO YOU USE TOO MUCH? Incredible.

WHAT GIVES YOU THE MOST HAPPINESS? Spending time with my family.

WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING? Smile and give thanks to God for another day.

WHAT TALENT OR SKILL DO YOU WISH YOU HAD? The ability to make the world smile. WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? I am most proud of my sons, Jeffrey and Jason.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? My first job was cleaning up a neighborhood barber shop. It was fascinating listening to the customers discuss the events of the world.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST CHERISHED POSSESSION? An Easter bunny egg rack that I made in the seventh grade in wood shop at Garfield Junior High School as a special present for my mother. I’ve kept it for 66 years.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOBBY OR PASTIME? Exploring and reading about any aspect related to world history.

WHAT DO YOU VALUE THE MOST IN YOUR FRIENDS? Loyalty and dependability.

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR? Mitch Albom, for his many books and articles.

WHO IS YOUR FICTIONAL HERO? Superman, for so many reasons.

WHAT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT? The visible anger and lack of humanity being exhibited by some in the world.

HOW DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED WHEN YOU DIE? As a great husband, father and friend who made every effort to help others.

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE MOTTO OR MANTRA? To always “stand tall” in life.

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH? Reminiscing and sharing “cop stories” with old friends about our time on the Detroit Police Department and reruns of “Barney Miller” and “The Tonight Show.”

HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS? Living a life of giving and helping others.

DOWNRIVER VICARIATE

ST. JOSEPH PARISH

ST. JOSEPH PARISH

TRENTON

ST. TIMOTHY PARISH

TRENTON

ST. CYPRIAN PARISH

RIVERVIEW

ST. ROCH PARISH

FLAT ROCK

OUR LADY OF THE WOODS PARISH

WOODHAVEN

SACRED HEART PARISH

GROSSE ILE

DOWNRIVER VICARIATE FAMILY 3 IS A FAMILY OF SIX PARISHES LOCATED IN TRENTON, RIVERVIEW, FLAT ROCK, WOODHAVEN AND GROSSE ILLE. THE FAMILY’S MODERATOR IS FATHER MARC GAWRONSKI AND THE PASTORS WHO SERVE THE FAMILY ARE FATHER DAVID LESNIAK, FR. ROBERT JOHNSON AND FR. RAY LEWANDOWSKI. THROUGH FAMILIES OF PARISHES, WE ARE REMINDED OF OUR ROLE AS BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN FAITH. WE ARE ONE BODY, THE BODY OF CHRIST. EACH PARISH IN THIS FAMILY AND EVERY FAMILY, MAINTAINS ITS UNIQUE IDENTITY AND COMMUNITY WHICH WILL BE SHARED WITH ALL PARISHES IN THE FAMILY AS THEY BECOME ONE COMMUNITY OF FAITH. St. Joseph Parish in Trenton was founded in 1849. At its core, St. Joseph is known for outreach and community support through services such as All Saints Soup Kitchen, Angel Tree (Christmas assistance), Right to Life, St. Nicholas Food Drive, Thanksgiving baskets through St. Vincent de Paul and many more.

St. Timothy Parish in Trenton celebrated its first mass in 1957, a parish community centered on the Eucharist. The high rafters and skylight windows fill the church with light, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Families attend Sunday morning Mass celebrated by Father David Lesniak.

The first mass in St. Cyprian’s current building was celebrated in 1956. The main features of the parish environment are light, beauty and color, with many stained-glass windows lining the church walls. St. Cyprian Parish and the people within it are dedicated to the ministry of hospitality — warm Sunday morning greetings, smiles, personally passing out books before mass, etc. When people first enter this church, they are meeting the people of god and feel at ease and welcome.

Father Gary Morelli invites a child to the altar at the end of mass to welcome her and her family to the parish.

St. Roch Parish in Flat Rock was founded in 1956 and is dedicated to the faith formation and spiritual growth of the parish and neighboring communities. The parish offers several Christian outreach services as well as a meditation garden on its beautiful grounds.

Father Raymond Lewandowski celebrates Sunday morning Mass.

Our Lady of the Woods Parish was established in 1975 and is nestled in the community of Woodhaven. The parish is known for its music ministry, use of modern technology and welcoming spirit. Masses are a mix of traditional worship with contemporary music.

Father Robert (Bob) Johnson blesses bike riders within the parish community.

Sacred Heart Parish in Grosse Ile Township is the oldest church within the family of parishes. The first mass was celebrated in Michigan south of St. Ignace in 1679. In 1915, a new stone chapel was built, dedicated and named Sacred Heart. Today, Sacred Heart serves 890 families from Grosse Ile and local communities. The parish stands as a beacon of light for faith, love, commitment and hope.

Rev. Marc Gawronski celebrates mass as children receive the sacrament of first holy communion.